City of Northlake Sued …Again!

Seems that the City of Northlake is being sued again. How is it that this city keeps getting sued? Chief Dennis Koletsos and the Northlake Police Department have been sued how many times?? Unreal.

Bar owner sues city, officials

August 13, 2008

By MARK LAWTON mlawton@pioneerlocal.com
A Northlake bar owner and his father are suing the City of Northlake, the mayor, police chief and city attorney.

David Catalano, owner of 144 East, and his father, Robert Catalano, who has invested in the business, filed three lawsuits in Cook County Circuit Court July 18.

The owners of the 144 East have filed three lawsuits against the mayor of Northlake and other officials claiming the city is trying to put them out of business.

According to court documents, the Catalanos allege a “civil conspiracy,” claiming that Mayor Jeff Sherwin has engaged in acts aimed at destroying the business and helping “his friend, who owns and operates a similar business down the street from the plaintiff named Alexandra’s.”

In two of the suits, the Catalanos — who are representing themselves — further claim that Police Chief Dennis Koletsos ordered a police officer to “harass” the Catalanos and specifically ordered an officer to issue tickets with the aim of getting “the plaintiff’s driver’s license suspended.”

City attorney Mark Sterk is also named in the suit as conspiring with the others being sued.

In the same suit, the Catalanos claim that Sherwin “ordered the aldermen under him to vote against the plaintiff to receive a extended liquor license” which would allow the bar to serve alcohol until 2 a.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends.

The Catalanos claim the act was discriminatory, as on Nov. 19, 2007, the City Council approved a late-night liquor license for Alejandra’s.

A third suit is against Sherwin, a company named Heidner Properties and its subcontractor. The suit claims that Sherwin allowed Heidner and its subcontractor to repave the parking to the east.

The parking lot, the Catalanos charge, is three inches higher than the parking lot at 144 East, located at 144 East North Avenue. The lower grade prevents the water from flowing to the sewer system and instead floods the parking lot at 144 East after rain, they said.

In court documents, the Catalanos said they’ve spent just under $500,000 to rehabilitate the building, which formerly held a Brown’s Chicken and later Doug’s Dugout. They are suing for $500,000 for “suffering” and another $76,650 for the parking lot.

Police Chief Koletsos said he doesn’t comment on pending litigation.

Mayor Jeff Sherwin said the Catalanos’ claims “are baseless and without merit.”

Mark Sterk said Robert Catalano’s “problems are all problems of his own making. The city did nothing to interfere with his business operation.”